COMMON MARINE FISHES 



101 



VERMILION ROCKFISH 

 Sebastodes miniafus 



Relationship: A member of the roekfish family, Scorpaenidae. Closely resembles 

 the orange roekfish (opposite page). 



Distinguishing Characters: See page 94. Chiefly vermilion or brick red in 

 color; the scales on tlio nnder side of the lower jaw rough to the touch (they are 

 smooth in the orange roekfish) ; the white peritoneum; the slightly convex space 

 between the eyes ; the three pairs of low spines above the eyes and one pair back of 

 the eyes on top of the head ; the lower jaw which projects slightly and has a knob at 

 the tip. Length to about three feet. Color: Vermilion above shading to pink on the sides 

 and light red below with black dots on back and sides which give a dusky tone ; three 

 obscure orange stripes radiating from the eye ; fins vermilion, the dorsal gray at the 

 base ; lips and lining of the mouth red. 



Distribution: Vancouver Island south to Southern California. 



Fishing Season: Throughout the year. 



Importance: One of the more important commercial species, it is one of three 

 leading species in Southern California. 



Fishing Gear: Lines, trawls. 



Unauthorized Names: Red rock cod, salmon grouper, red snapper, barracho, 

 barrachon, racha. 



